The Official Blog of the Royals Hall of Fame

ZACK GREINKE T-SHIRTS – Other Cy Young Talk

Everyone in Kansas City and everyone who follows the Royals knows Zack Greinke has been the best pitcher in the American League this season. Heck everyone who makes the effort to look at the cold hard numbers, or better yet has had the opportunity to watch him knows that no pitcher in baseball can match his performance. If you’ve seen him in person or on TV it’s simply a matter of believing your own eyes – Yes, he has been that good from April through September.

Now the campaign isn’t over and Zack has two more starts to improve his amazing numbers even more. The case for Zack is extensive and has been covered in detail any number of places. But instead of making the case again, I wanted to look back at how other Royals pitchers have fared in Cy Young voting over the last 40 years. Here is a breakdown of every Royals pitcher to ever finish in the Cy Young Award Top 5:

Quiz actually had a better season the year before in 1983 when he set the then MLB record with 45 saves (1.94 ERA) but finished second to LaMarr Hoyt of the White Sox. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reliever Francisco Rodriguez set the save record with 62 in 2008 and finished no better than third. Consider that the Yankees Mariano Rivera has never won a Cy Young (or come that close really – 2nd in 2005 with only 8 first place votes), and I’m guessing it’s darn near impossible for a closer to get that recognition anymore. Congratulations Guillermo Hernandez!

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